PEOPLE are put off travelling by train because of the delays caused by railway metal thefts, MPs heard.

The claim came as the Government defended its role in tackling “selfish” metal thieves, amid accusations it has been slow to introduce tough sanctions.

Speaking at Transport questions in the Commons, Tory MP Karen Lumley (Redditch) said Network Rail’s latest estimates show rail passengers were delayed by a total of 500,000 minutes last year because of metal thefts.

She added: “These delays are actually discouraging people from using railways.” Ministers have faced calls to ban cash payments for scrap metal deals, making it harder for stolen goods to be traded.

Junior transport minister Norman Baker said the coalition was considering changing the law to tackle the “severe impact” of metal thefts on infrastructure.